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LANAO DEL NORTE, Philippines – Desperate to flee Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, students at the main campus of the Mindanao State University (MSU) were forced to walk up to 32 kilometers to Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, on Wednesday, May 24.
Eduardito Maruhom, an official at MSU's satellite campus in Iligan City, said they received reports that 9 of their students opted to walk when they couldn't find a ride to evacuate from the clashes there.
"The children walked from Marawi to Iligan," Maruhom told Rappler. "There are 9 of them. The poor students are tired and hungry."
Thousands of residents have fled Marawi to escape the clashes between the Maute terrorist group and government forces. President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire Mindanao under martial law, and said he would expand the coverage if the terrorists get a foothold on other island groups.
The students have not reached Iligan City when Rappler spoke to Maruhom Wednesday afternoon. Maruhom said the distance is about 32 kilometers.
The students have been trying to get a ride along the way, but Maruhom said most vehicles owners in Marawi City are also evacuating their own families.
MSU official Eduardito Maruhom says they are prepared to accommodate students who evacuated from the MSU main campus in Marawi City. Rappler photo
Vehicles owners are not so lucky themselves. Traffic is massive as residents flee in droves. What usually takes an hour's drive on regular days has taken up to 7 hours for many of them.
All vehicles entering Iligan City are meticulously inspected. Passengers are ordered to get off their buses so their bags are checked one by one. There’s a separate line for private vehicles, too.
But there are no complaints so far. "It’s safer if there’s a checkpoint. But it’s also a hassle. They asked us all to get off the bus for additional safety purposes," Melissa Saavedra told Rappler.
BAG CHECK. Passengers are ordered to get of their buses so their bags are checked one by one. Rappler photo
The MSU campus in Iligan City has prepared to accommodate students who evacuated MSU-Marawi. But Maruhom said the accommodation cannot include their parents.
"We've prepared already our campus emergency response team. It's ready to receive the students. The food are ready," Maruhom said.
Students who were able to get a ride on dump trucks provided by several groups are expected to arrive at the Iligan campus late Wednesday night.
"In our little way, we extend our helping hand. We will receive the students of MSU main campus. We will house them here," Maruhom said.
MSU-Marawi is the biggest campus and has about 20,000 students. Maruhom said the Iligan campus can accommodate up to 2,000 students who cannot find accommations elsewhere.
DSWD regional offices on call 24/7 for Marawi City evacuees
The Department of Social Welfare and Development says 3 evacuation centers are also in place in neighboring Iligan City, as families begin fleeing Marawi City
REFUGE. Some residents of Marawi City leave the area amid the ongoing operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines against terrorist groups. Photo from DSWD
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) activated its red alert status on Wednesday afternoon, May 24, amid the tense situation in Marawi City due to the ongoing operations of the military against terrorists.
"We are already anticipating evacuees from Marawi so our regional offices are now on call 24/7 to address the needs of affected residents and to monitor the situation on the ground, as well as to provide us regular situational reports," DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo said.
"The DSWD is ready to provide relief assistance to the people of Marawi and to assist the evacuees in coordination with DSWD-ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). We will ensure that the people's well-being, life, and rights are upheld and protected," she added. (READ: Troops clash with terror groups in Marawi City)
The DSWD's Disaster Response Assistance and Management Bureau (DREAM-B) said the following barangays have already been affected by the clash: Sarimanok, Basak Malutlut, Bangon, Tuca, Caloocan, Marinaut, and Makilala.
Photos of residents leaving the area have been posted on Taguiwalo's official Facebook account.
In an interview with Rappler, DSWD Region X Director Nestor Ramos said around 30,000 to 40,000 families live in Marawi City. They are still monitoring the exodus of residents, but 3 evacuation centers are now in place in neighboring Iligan City.
"There are families who have left for Iligan City but there are also families who have opted to stay with [their relatives]. These are those with cars, the rich ones. They went to Iligan, some to [Cagayan de Oro]," said Ramos in Filipino.
The DSWD has P1.2 billion worth of relief goods and standby funds for those affected by the clashes. Around 10,000 family packs have also been delivered to Mindanao upon request of the ARMM regional office. (TIMELINE: Marawi clashes prompt martial law in all of Mindanao)
Ramos said the relief goods will be available for those who will be staying in evacuation centers.
"If they opt to stay with relatives, that's another story because we have to assess if the relatives can provide them with necessary food assistance. If not, we can provide them relief goods… they'd have to go to our office," he said.
Amid the crackdown against the terrorists, residents have been advised to stay vigilant and heed authorities' warnings.
Bishop Edwin dela Peña of the Prelature of Marawi earlier reported that the Maute Group has held hostage 5 residents.
But Philippine National Police spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said they have not received reports of hostage-taking incidents as of Wednesday morning.
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